Spark Plugs
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,258
Likes: 438
From: IL
Spark Plugs
So which brand do you prefer? I've used Champion and Motorcraft and I haven't really noticed any difference in the performance of either one. I plan on attempting the plug and wire change on my 1990 E150 5.8L this weekend as it started missing pretty bad last week. I though maybe a clogged fuel filter, I changed that but had no affect on the way it ran, it idles and revs up fine sitting in park but put it in gear and put a load on it and it starts missing real bad and has a heck of a time even getting to 50mph.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,677
Likes: 172
Yes the 1990 5.8 is EFI with minimum of 2 pumps if you have a single tank..
I use Motorcraft
I don't think it matters about the plugs as long as you use copper core plugs for that engine.. If it were a newer van where you could run 50 to 100k before a tune up, then the brand might make a difference.
Have you checked for any codes?
Also like Spaznaut said..
I would love to have a fuel pressure and vacuum gauge installed in my van.. Those two can tell you a lot about what is going on..
I use Motorcraft
I don't think it matters about the plugs as long as you use copper core plugs for that engine.. If it were a newer van where you could run 50 to 100k before a tune up, then the brand might make a difference.
Have you checked for any codes?
Also like Spaznaut said..
I would love to have a fuel pressure and vacuum gauge installed in my van.. Those two can tell you a lot about what is going on..
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 155
Likes: 6
From: Suburban Washington DC
Could be distributor cap, rotor, plug wires, coil, ignition module. Plugs are just a start.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
I'd double check for old deteriorated plug wires too----something so often overlooked or ignored and a good point of problems as described.
In typical street-driven engines of that era any good "better" quality plug should be used, plugs can degrade engine performance but they rarely improve it significantly. I would suggest Motorcraft or Autolite as already suggested though--both well proven to be long-lived.
Good luck!
In typical street-driven engines of that era any good "better" quality plug should be used, plugs can degrade engine performance but they rarely improve it significantly. I would suggest Motorcraft or Autolite as already suggested though--both well proven to be long-lived.
Good luck!
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,998
Likes: 131
From: Maryville
The ignition module in the distributor, I hear they can go bad, basically heat kills them, been wondering if I would benefit replacing mine, not sure if waiting for it to completely fail is a good idea, not sure if you benefit by replacing it early.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: IL
Been pretty hot lately and I have been suffering from Chronic migraines and cluster headaches...Going to try and get out there to work on the van this week. I haven't checked for codes since I changed the TPS over in the spring,. at that time I did do a visual inspection of the plug wires which looked almost brand new, but looks can be deceiving, I also blew a mouse nest out from under the plenum when I changed the TPS, so I guess they could have chewed on some wires.
It's always a possibility, the pumps could be going, The rear tank is disconnected for unknown reasons, could be the switch valve or it could be a bad pump in the tank, the front tank pump could be going or the high pressure pump on the frame. I will have to pickup a pressure test kit, mine seems to have disappeared. When I changed the fuel filter out last weekend, all the gas that came out was cloudy, almost had a milk tint to it, I was wondering if maybe I had gotten some bad gas.. Slowly but surely this old van is coming together, thanks for all the advice, it'll get put to good use.
It's always a possibility, the pumps could be going, The rear tank is disconnected for unknown reasons, could be the switch valve or it could be a bad pump in the tank, the front tank pump could be going or the high pressure pump on the frame. I will have to pickup a pressure test kit, mine seems to have disappeared. When I changed the fuel filter out last weekend, all the gas that came out was cloudy, almost had a milk tint to it, I was wondering if maybe I had gotten some bad gas.. Slowly but surely this old van is coming together, thanks for all the advice, it'll get put to good use.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 188
Likes: 13
From: France
On my 1989 E250 5.8L, I have installed NGK Irridium. But on the same times I also changed, the coil (MSD), the wire (ACCEL), the Cap and rotor (MOTORCRAFT). And yes I can feel a difference.
Your indication of the color of your gasoline is not an insignificant detail as to the symptoms that you explain.
Your indication of the color of your gasoline is not an insignificant detail as to the symptoms that you explain.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,998
Likes: 131
From: Maryville
I want an MSD coil, almost bought a box, the 6A if you know what that is, guy wouldn't ship it, I couldn't drive 200 miles to pick it up either, my 73 I put on an Accel coil, pertronix electronic ignition, and ran 12 volts to the coil, never did get the rich fuel mixture fixed, even after swapping the carb.
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